Casting James Gunn's Friends in the New DCU

[@hosh4216]

i think dave bautista would fit hugo strange extremely well and would fit into what kind of actor bautista clearly wants to become

[@joshcrawley1937]

yeah this is perfect

[@VinchVideos]

I wondee if he has any issue with getting smaller for a role. Not that he would need to for that one and I know he's said he doesn't want to have to be shredded for shirtless roles anymore but he would fit so many more roles if he got smaller and it would be interesting to see

[@DigPug13]

@@VinchVideos comic book Strange does not have a small, or even medium, frame. he's built similarly to Batman himself, so much so that he was able to successfully impersonate him with a homemade costume in one of his first appearances. Bautista could totally pull that off if they wanted to do that.

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

​​@@DigPug13Exactly. Bautista's frame fits Hugo Strange perfectly, but he doesn't need to take off his shirt and get super dehydrated and look cut and buff. He can go toe-to-toe with Batman (sans gadgets) just in his work clothes with his lab coat on

[@VinchVideos]

@@DigPug13 yeah I said he wouldn't need to for this role. It was just kind of an unrelated question

[@billybeeeeeeeeee]

Pratt should be the live action Kite Man

[@akiraeatsguitarpicks491]

Or Deacon Blackfire

[@captainblighe7297]

Bill Hader

[@brotherjustincrowe]

Walton Goggins

[@Nasuto1702]

thats a great casting

[@coltongates7397]

@@akiraeatsguitarpicks491why u say this?

[@officersquidman]

You seem to have forgotten that Sean Gunn is also Calendar Man

[@GreenHatAnimation]

Is Peacemaker part of new DCU? You would think not as the DCEU Justice league showed up in that series

[@Itcouldbedust]

​@@GreenHatAnimationit is canon but apparently events just happened differently like that ending scene never happened.

[@timonsteup2877]

​@@GreenHatAnimationif Weasel counts, then so should Calender Man.

[@hiimchrisj]

@@timonsteup2877 Weasel only counts because Gunn specifically confirmed him for Creature Commandos

[@PIDEE_MAN]

@@GreenHatAnimationh

[@Confuzed54]

I feel like Bautista would make for an interesting Atrocitus. He definitely has the commanding presence that could keep the Red Lanterns in line, and he could play into Atrocitus’ more sympathetic side.

[@ashleysmith5427]

Yes! That would be so cool!

[@mudiametokunboh2370]

Would be cool :)

[@dawiggie]

Now I want Sean Gunn to play Superman, but just for the opening scene and then it dissolves to reality and it turns out he was just describing a dream to his friends or saying what he would do if he was Superman

[@Chadcat180]

Thats a nice concept

[@restymervinponio4026]

Is this a dream you had? We have David Corenswet playing Supernan, so why do we nees another Superman? Doesnt't make sense.

[@Dr.Megladon]

Wait I had that same dream?

[@CenturionOfficial]

Dave Bautista as Swamp Thing is genuinely a genius piece of casting.

[@PotatoKing86]

Agreed

[@ezrariner]

I don't think he wants to do anything with that much makeup again this soon after quitting Drax. I'd love to see it if he changes his mind though!

[@CenturionOfficial]

@ezrariner even if he did it as mocap it could be amazing honestly.

[@user-nv9vn8fm1d]

I feel like it would be tricky because he's already a big guy. So the flashbacks to how he was before would be slightly less impactful. Maybe if they got another person to play the before version it would work? But I'd like him to play something where he doesn't have to wear a mask lol.

[@RileyInTheBox]

Absolutely. And give Vin the Mongol role. Easy flip.

[@justinhearst]

As i was listening to your cast of Chris Pratt as Catman. A weird thought came up in my mind of Michael Rooker as Wildcat from the JSA. I think it could work. Heart of gold, stubborn, father-figure and tough as nails old man.

[@scottcampbell1635]

great pick.

[@jabbathehutt83]

yes.

[@NoxarBoi]

Oh, and Wildcat sometimes has the 9 lives cat superpower, so you could still have him die!

[@dvillewest743]

I had the same thought!!!!

[@captainblighe7297]

He’s Savant in TSS

[@lucaselliott2097]

So... I wish to see Michael Rooker as Bibbo. Specifically, the scene after Superman's death where Bibbo says the Hail Mary prayer for his fallen pal. I feel it would be a tear-jerker.

[@mariovalle198]

They desperately need to find a yellow or red alien for Zoe Saldaña to play

[@suzygirl1843]

Zoe Saldana should never have played Uhura in Star Trek

[@Chadcat180]

Yes .she should be different colours i lobe it

[@yiklongtay6029]

The winged chick red lantern was named Bleez or something. For a deranged semi villain, she was actually pretty sympathetic when you get into her back story

[@wesstewart2677]

False. They need to find a yellow or red alien, put them in make-up, and make the play Zoe Saldana in a biopic

[@SonOfSparda03]

Starfire?

[@Ze___r0]

Bautista as Etrigan would be dope too

[@solidsnake2883]

Spot on

[@Sapphykins]

Oh man, that would be awesome. I think that's probably the best suggestion I've seen outside of bane

[@amine15777]

Nah dave batista as killowog and bane for me

[@BrassNuggetz]

It'd be funny to cast Pratt as The Question, a character that has no face and an actor whos face is all over advertising. I think it'd be funny. Either that ot Kiteman

[@kendee_]

If we see Karen Gillan as Silver Banshee then I really hope they take some cues from the current Superman run where she reforms and starts dating Jimmy Olsen. Their relationship is so wholesome and the wackiness of it is just pure comics.

[@sugami82]

"British medical role" literally made me LOL 😂

[@Matt-Thomas10]

I fully saw Pom being Dr. Light. But I really love the Phantom Girl cast. That would be so much more fun (though I would have imagined a younger actor)

[@scottboswell6406]

Now the question is, who plays Plastic Man? Is there a new, younger Jim Carrey type?

[@DownBadGamer]

​@@scottboswell6406he's definitely not young but Bill Hader would be great

[@scottboswell6406]

@@DownBadGamer I can see it!

[@carterfoerch4556]

Y’all, Bautista is Hugo Strange, it’s perfect casting, knock at the cabin door was his audition. Keep that eery calm energy, add an unhinged sense of humor and some rage. His build is perfect and he could be charming and fun and then terrifying on a dime. It’s perfect and just different enough to really get people interested, not obvious like Esposito but it would be brilliant

[@kaemonbonet4931]

Chris Pratt as cap atom is interesting. Not typical casting I'd be interested to see what they would make of it.

[@Chadcat180]

It would make him more interesting cuz pratt has lotta charisma

[@schizzo8959]

But Captain Atom always blows up.

[@unchartedchartz]

I actually kinda like the idea of Chris Pratt as Mister Miracle

[@brotherjustincrowe]

Colin Farrell

[@calebberens9692]

Who is this Mister Miracle dude?

[@brotherjustincrowe]

Google is your friend!

[@unchartedchartz]

@@calebberens9692 DC hero originally created by Jack Kirby that had a phenomenal miniseries by Tom King relatively recently. I highly recommend it

[@Chef740]

Physically Bautista would fit Bane well but I really want them to get someone Latino for the role since that is a very important part of the character that has been ignored in live action so far.

[@kingpinogaming3366]

I want to see Pratt play a villainous roll, i think there are aome skeevy parts to the character type he plays that could make a despicable badguy.

[@electric926]

I think if you take into account Nando's pick for him he'd be a pretty great Major Force

[@kingpinogaming3366]

@electric926 i was thinking something like trickster, but you are so incredibly correct!

[@JackPitches5647]

I want him as atom You know the ant man V2

[@victor.maskalenka]

I really like Batista as Swamp Thing, makes much more sense to me than Mongul since he said he would prefer doing dramatical roles from now on

[@mapwheel00]

I like to imagine an alternate reality in 2008 where Indiana Jones was rebooted with Bradley Cooper as the lead.

[@JackPitches5647]

Honestly I would enjoy it could you imagine an Indiana Jones cinematic universe’s

[@MaxAndCheese0917]

I feel like James Gunn is definitely building up to a JLI adaptation and that has so much potential 👀

[@lazuruswolf6668]

My money is on DC: The New Frontier by Dwayne Cooke.

[@thebudyentertainmentchanne8845]

I think Michael Rooker would play an AMAZING Jonah Hex!

[@schwa6275]

SECONDED!

[@tiago9977]

30:07 Representation is definitely important, but I think it's ridiculous that some ppl think that roles should *only* go to ppl who fit the same ethnicity & sexuality as the character. They should *always* prioritise the best actor for the job imo. There are *so* many amazing performances where actors have played a different sexuality to their real life, or characters have been race/ gender swapped. I would hate to think of how many amazing characters we would've missed out on if none of those actors had been allowed to play them.

[@mr.moviemafia]

Don’t forget Sean Gunn ALSO played Calendar Man in The Suicide Squad (2021), so he may end up with 3 roles in the DCU

[@chanofrom69th]

Michael Rooker should play some type of civilian that “dies” in every one of the movies, then reveal him as myxyspitlyk

[@elenadirectorofmiiss7942]

Dave Bautista would be an incredible Kilowog, Darkseid, or Swamp Thing, but Mongul would be amazing!

[@afoxstale]

Bradley Cooper should definitely be Hal Jordan, he has the action man, but bad boy rule breaker attitude that would work and the eventual breakdown of paradox feels like it would be perfected by him playing the role

[@Jabersson]

I love how James Gunn is the new DC version of Kevin Fiege for Nando to get "help me" letters from

[@ezrariner]

That's the smartest decision WB has made RE: DC in years! You need that kind of leadership from people who understand the material. Zack Snyder was never the right guy for that role. Gunn is perfect for it.

[@Chadcat180]

​@@ezrariner100% . Gunn loves comics and prolly knows about them more than even feige

[@patricknguyen7530]

Some other actors that frequent work with Gunn that haven’t been mentioned in the video: Elizabeth Banks Michael Rosenbaum Kevin Bacon Linda Cardelinni

[@VinchVideos]

I hope he casts Linda Cardelinni as just Velma again

[@colealbinder2025]

Kevin Bacon would be a pretty great Pa Kent. Elizabeth Banks could be a fun, crazy villain I think, her energy has a place in the DCU.

[@jtallen6406]

@@colealbinder2025You had me at Kevin Bacon as Pa Kent.

[@dvillewest743]

Batista dosent wanna play a brut or the muscle anymore he literally said that HUGO STRANGE is who he needs to be.

[@zenster1085]

I think because there was a rumor of a Korean Huntress film, I think Huntress may be the character that Pom is playing. But I dunno, that's just what I think.

[@jeancaron9325]

Villains need Diversity too.

[@DanteYewToob]

You’re forgetting that Sean already has a live action role… he’s Calendar Man in The Suicide Squad. It’s just a cameo, but he’s there in a few shots in the beginning.

[@adamparker6540]

Dave Bautista as Hugo Strange in The Batman Part II is my dream scenario. but we’ll see where Reeves takes it

[@jonathananderson253]

Pratt as Captain Atom actually makes me so excited. All of these casts are amazing, I’m just so excited for James Gunn’s DCU

[@kevandre]

I'll be real with you Nando, as soon as you said "Cheshire" when talking about Pom I made a loud "Oooooooooh" sound would love to see Cheshire and Artemis in the DCU

[@ahmoodlethenoodle5540]

Bradley as Ted kord and Chris as booster would break the bank 😭🤦🏿

[@osheroth]

Pom would be an amazing Starfire, she already proved at length that she can play a weird alien trying to blend in

[@Injusticelord]

My personal picks: Pom Klementieff as Mercy Graves or Copperhead Vin Diesel as Solomon Grundy Bradley Cooper as Captain Cold Zoe Saldana as Indigo-1 Michael Rooker as Wildcat Chris Pratt as Deadman Dave Bautista as Mongul or Atrocitus

[@coalnel]

I think Pom Klementieff would be a fantastic Zatanna

[@LucasRawrXD]

Goated video. I love your content man. I get so happy seeing you post! Personally, Bradley Cooper needs to be Hal. Older Hal, a young 20’s Kyle Rayner, and then a early to mid 30’s John Stewart.

[@KNM_yt]

Before I even watch this video I would love to see Dave as Hugo Strange and Chris Prat as Booster Gold. Looking forward to the video btw 😁

[@firstlast9846]

Bautista as Hugo would work cos Hugo Strange is an absolute UNIT

[@KNM_yt]

@@firstlast9846 Yep totally agree and I know I had said Batista for Hugo in a video for the DCEU but gosh I would love to see him even more in The Robert Pattinson universe. Fits the tone perfectly.

[@likecrazyhorse]

I had to pause the video for a few minutes after my first introduction to "Cat Man". I think it cleared my sinuses.

[@tiago9977]

I would love to see more Nebula & Mantis in the MCU tbh, but I'd also be down to see them enter the DCU in a role that suits them well.

[@troyami]

I honestly couldn’t tell if you didn’t know what Doctor Who is and thought it was a medical show or you were just joking💀

[@azteccoco]

Id love to see Dave Bautista as Gorilla Grodd honestly

[@JackPitches5647]

Brainiac must be Justice league villain

[@MechaOracle]

Vin Diesel as Dexx-Starr. Before he becomes a Red Lantern give Dexx-Starr a high pitch voice (maybe in a flash back) but after getting the Red Lantern ring have Vin Diesel go full on with it making gruff cat sounds.

[@hawkndove2082]

My fancast was Nathan Fillion as Bolphunga! Kinda funny he’s a green lantern now haha!

[@amiciprocul8501]

Playing another Cop. 😅

[@ezrariner]

Frank Grillo has also said he has a role in Gunn's DCU. I believe it was on the Inside of You podcast with Michael Rosenbaum. :)

[@azteccoco]

I believe he's playing Rick Flagg Sr. If I recall correctly

[@Chadcat180]

Rick flag's dad

[@tiago9977]

5:41 7:50 Ngl, Katana was definitely my first thought when she said she'd continue doing action. Phantom Girl definitely sounds like a fun role for her to try tho.

[@freshcola6301]

NEED EPISODE 2 with Jennifer Holland, Stephen Blackehart, Michael Rosenbaum, Steve Agee , Daniela Melchior, Mikaela Hoover, Tara Strong, Linda Cardellini, Tommy Flanagan and Stallone !!!

[@cocoawaffles7580]

Hear me out, after seeing stuff like press for guardians three it’s easy to tell that Bradley cooper seems low key kinda burnt out or just uninterested in big role type characters, I say keep him as a side character that could steal the spotlight and still be taken serious, dex Starr could be that broken deep character that isn’t the main focus but steals the show everytime he’s on screen.

[@FrancoDFernando]

Dave Bautista would be great as Edrogen...he's a big magic hulk that rhymes lol

[@spydey2k]

Pom for Mercy. Surprised she wasnt on your list

[@ZenithAngel]

Batiata can bring the complexity to Bane that the character deserves

[@devinmckay9764]

Karen Gillan wouldn't be too old for Barbara if the Bat Family is a little older. I could see her as a Killing Joke era Barbara.

[@THE_CROW81]

Dave Bautista for Hugo Strange is my personal pick tbh

[@katherinealvarez9216]

Man, it's weird to see all of this and know that it happened by almost an accident.

[@hiimchrisj]

Honestly, you're right about Chris Pratt being perfect for Captain Atom but at the same time it just feels weird to cast him for what's ultimately going to be mostly a mocap role.

[@KingUniverso]

Love these. Nando rarely misses 😎

[@tiago9977]

14:59 I don't know if I'd wanna see Elongated Man in the new DCU tbh. I loved Ralph Dibney in The Flash, but if they were gonna introduce a stretchy character in the DCU I imagine they'd only have one, & I prefer Plastic Man over Elongated Man. That said, Plastic Man *does* seem to work better in animation tbh, so I wouldn't mind Elongated Man in the DCU if they featured Plastic Man in more animated films/ shows.

[@ProjektTaku]

yeah, plastic man is a ridiculously cartoony character that works very well in animation but could be very hard to adapt for live-action, plus he's a bit too op. Elongated Man is more grounded, he's basically got luffy's devil fruit without gear 5, and I do actually like him as a supporting character for flash.

[@veggiewillymass]

Surprised u didn't mention Mercy Graves as a solid character for Pom. She's got the action packed combined with weirdness due to being a robot support for Lex Luthor. Plus since she's already talked to Gunn about her casting it's likely he got the role for her so she can be in Superman: Legacy

[@KingUniverso]

Id like to see Chris Pratt do a villain potentially. Only curious for it because Ive never seen it

[@mattf5935]

Did you not watch Passengers? A different version of that film is him as an absolute monster by the end instead of the monster who the director wants the audience to like as in the actual movie.

[@KingUniverso]

@@mattf5935 I have not seen.

[@mattf5935]

@@KingUniverso Pratt plays a character who gets lonely on a spaceship and so prematurely awakens a character played by Jennifer Lawrence which means that she will never live to arrive in her destination or see anyone she loves or cares about again since both Pratt and Lawrence's characters will be long dead before it arrives since they are no longer in stasis (or whatever jargon they used). He then lies to her and pretends like he wasn't the one who did this to her and the movie shifts into a rom-com narrative where he eventually owns up to it, they fall in love, and end up happily together. In a different and much more impactful alternative version of the movie, the audience sees this unfold from Lawrence's perspective rather than Pratt's where she awakens confused and is helped and comforted by him until she comes to the terrifying realization that she is now trapped on the ship with the terrifying stalker who awakened her and ended her life as she knew it against her will. Having that play against type with Pratt being the genuine predator that he is in the film could have been really special but it devolves into more standard light romantic fare with a sci-fi sheen.

[@Arcin00]

@@mattf5935 That movie felt like they could've done 100 different really interesting things with and they managed to do none of them

[@mr.master2017]

I just started reading Strange Adventures tonight so I was primed to predict ur Zoe Saldaña casting!

[@litterboxstudios]

I seriously need to hear Rooker yell “great Caesar’s ghost” now

[@gavinmitchell1328]

As you were describing Bradley Cooper's characteristics, my mind went "Batman" for every single one! I honestly think it would make almost too much sense for Bradley to be the next Bruce Wayne. Not only does he have the look, his ability and resume could lend him to every aspect of Batman's complex character.

[@ed--209]

Dave Batista as bizarro would be dope too

[@milkiassamuel780]

Id love to see these castings happen in the DCU, played by James Gunn friends: Dave Bautista as Hugo Strange or Mongul Pom Klementieff as Mercy Graves, Dr Light II or Phantom Girl Michael Rooker as Bibbo Bibbowski Will Poulter as Manchester Black Chris Pratt as Catman Karen Gillan as Silver Banshee, Artemis or Maxima Bradley Cooper as Jonah Hex Funny enough I actually had Nathan Fillion as my fancast for Steve Lombard if that character would appear in Superman: Legacy and then months later hes now cast as Guy Gardener which I absolutely love and think Fillion will wdo a wonderful job as the character

[@paumartineztabero8322]

Pom Klementieff as Mercy Graves, I have been thinking about that since I watched Dead Reckoning, she was great in the movie and I really see her as Mercy.

[@mishoniwanniman8321]

I don't think Pom as Mercy would work to be honest. She's already been defined by her groundbreaking performance as Random Bar Lady #1 in The Suicide Squad

[@averystanley7013]

I need Pratt as Booster Gold more than I need air

[@rushfan21I2]

I thought you were going to cast Zoe Saldana as Talia for that entire segment.

[@joelsilva699]

Captain Atom being a supporting character for the Waller series would be kind of genius

[@marcusyee2211]

Some other roles I'd probably add: Pom Klementieff as Roulette Chris Pratt as Guardian (Jim Harper) Michael Rooker as (not sure) Dave Bautista as (not sure) Karan Gillian as Ice (Tora Olafsdotter), Big Barda, Giganta Vin Diesel as Solomon Grundy, Etrigan the Demon, Bane Bradley Cooper as Blue Devil (Daniel Cassidy), Deadshot, the Question Zoë Saldana as Fire (Beatriz da Costa), Question (Renee Montoya)

[@kuma2448]

Rooker would be an awesome SNOWFLAME!

[@austindaniels4827]

i think bradley cooper should get an A list character. id really love him as hal jordan but the thought of batman has definitely crossed my mind

[@stevencooper564]

I really like the idea of him as Bruce.

[@Blah2000Blah]

I love the idea of Cooper as Booster Gold, honestly. Green Arrow too.

[@isaacroberts5402]

Legitimately some of the best fancasting you've done!🎉

[@greghawkins59]

I can definitely see Greg Henry telling superman not to save him from a tornado

[@DangerDurians]

Dang If i heard about the lifetime plan just 3 days ago I would have gotten it My annual auto renewed for 40 then

[@Unch0sen1]

Love all these picks, I definitely see Zoe as Renee Montoya. I don’t think we’ll see Jim Gordon as an attempt to separate the two Batman universes.

[@damiansmith5294]

The Terrifics would be fantastic just because of Plastic Man.

[@Dalton_stuff]

If dave bautista was darkseid he should have a calm voice and only sitting in chairs in his screentime

[@diegomesadiez]

I want Pom to play Mercy Graves

[@bannedinallston]

I dunno, Sean Gunn as Superman actually sounds awesome

[@13nwaffles]

Anytime Nando posts a video I’ve already seen on Nebula, I still have to rewatch it

[@azaanyasir2811]

The Hawkgirl in Superman legacy isn't Shayera (who's Hawkwoman) it's Kendra. Zoe can play Shayera and do her fall in love thing with with Hawkman

[@Tortugoso]

Hey Nando! Great video. I have a suggestion: I think you should do a video of all the comics you believe would be relevant for the New DCU. You mentioned quite a few in this one, but it'd be great to have them compiled!

[@legodoctorstrange]

Pom Klementieff as Mercy Graves would be PERFECT!!!

[@ricardo6156]

Could you imagine from a tree to a swamp 😂

[@terablast]

Another king of casting friends: Nolan with Cillian Murphy and Micheal Caine

[@AkeemLovesCapes]

Batman - Sean Gunn Robin - Sean Gunn Beast Boy - Sean Gunn The Flash - Sean Gunn Cyborg - Sean Gunn Hal Jordan - Sean Gunn John Stewart - Sean Gunn Wonder Woman - Jennifer Holland

[@themoosehoof]

Nah I think wonder woman should be Sean Gunn

[@ridge__hall728]

Kevin Feige has asked me to be his messenger for this. He says, ”Wow, Nando I love your amazing ideas that we won’t actually use! Can you please pitch me a solo film about Dr Doom. That would be awesome, thank you.”

[@pajammy99]

Nando rocking the stache

[@cripcucumber1436]

Pratt as Captain Atom is something I never thought of and something I would love to see

[@videovoidtv]

Dude. As a Cuban I really love that you use the ñ in Zoe Saldaña. Its small but nobody does it.

[@citysmall3427]

Instant like. This is a creative idea

[@michaelgurreri6037]

I truly don’t think they’ll have both plastic man and elongated man in the same universe, truly seems redundant despite the character differences

[@DCPierrot48]

If Bradley Cooper is casted as Ch'p then he went from a Racoon to a Squirel

[@reichen609]

48:27 hmhmhm love it! " *Passive-aggressive" **#commercialism**.* *One of my top 5 MOST **_FURIOUSLY LOATHED_** "human" elements.*

[@MAGEtvPTB]

...great content as usual. Michael Rucker played Merle so well that I dislike him in real life... Respect from Nashville Tennessee